DUBAI: The Saudi pavilion at Expo 2020 in the UAE on Wednesday hosted a fashion show to celebrate the Kingdom’s designers.
Three homegrown labels, ArAm, Tima Abid, and Abadia, presented their collections to a packed audience in Dubai against the backdrop of the pavilion’s unfolding rectangular facade.
Each brand showcased 10 pieces from their recent collections.
ArAm, founded by Riyadh-based fashion designer Arwa Al-Ammari, kicked off the show presenting traditional designs with a modest twist, inspired by the Kingdom’s heritage.
ArAm kicked off the show presenting traditional designs with a modest twist, inspired by the Kingdom’s heritage. (Supplied)
Besides her colorful flowy skirts and printed abayas, Al-Ammari’s pieces also featured patterns of sadu weaving.
Next in line was Dubai-based Saudi label Abadia, which Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys recently championed during her first concert in the Kingdom, staged in AlUla.
The family-owned brand was co-founded by Shahd Al-Shehail and her aunt Naeema Al-Shehail. The brand’s name is derived from the Arabic words for desert (badiah) and timelessness (abadi) and is a nod to its commitment to preserving culture, supporting craftsmanship, and creating ethically made products.
One dress in particular that got the audience clapping was a golden palm tree embroidered gown. (Supplied)
The fashion house’s designs featured earthy hues, harness belts, and multi-layered oversized coats. The creations also integrated traditional crafts such as sadu and naqda, which is a technique of pulling thin metallic threads through cloth.
Abid, who founded her eponymous womenswear label 18 years ago, closed the show.
Abid, who founded her eponymous womenswear label 18 years ago, closed the show. (Supplied)
The Jeddah-born couturiere presented a number of show-stopping designs, from form-fitting gowns to structured puffy dresses.
One dress in particular that got the audience clapping was a golden palm tree embroidered gown. Inspired by several elements existing within the Kingdom’s natural landscape, the velvet featured Swarovski crystals and golden-thread embroidery.
